Spirit level



E. J. CASPER SPIRIT LEVEL Filed Nov. 20, 1947 INVENTOR COW/7R0 J. 075F157? ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1951 Patented Sept. 18, 1951 QUNITED STATES PATENT o-"Prime.

$2,568,143 srmrr LEV L Edward J. CaspergBronxQN. Y. Application November 20, 1 9 47, Serial No. 787,054.

Thisinvention relates to spirit levels as used by mechanics to designate level, plumb, square and miters in work being performed or constructed. More particularly, the invention deals with a device of this kind employing a. spirit element of octagon form, whereby readings may be taken in all positions of the level. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a device of the character described wherein the mounting of the spirit element in the level or tool is simplified. Further, wherein the spirit element is composed of two similar parts secured together.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a part of a spirit level or similar tool showing one of my improved devices therein.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged face view of a spirit element with part of the construction broken away.

in with a round center bore I I in which the spirit element I2 is adapted to be mounted. At each side of the bore II are recesses Iii-I3 in which are arranged bevelled rings I4I4'. The rings I I-I4 are of less inside diameter than the diameter of the bore I I' so as to overlie side surfaces of the element I2, as clearly seen in Fig. 2 to bring parallel spirit markings, as at I5, Fig. 1, into close proximity to the spirit bubble I6 of the element I2, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. In this connection the fluid of the spirit element I2 has been omitted from Fig. 2 for'sake of clarity. It will be understood that markings similar to the markings I are also arranged upon the ring I4, part of which is seen at I5 inFig. 2.

Beyond the recesses I3-I3', the stock I0 is also preferably bevelled or flared outwardly, as seen at I"I--II'. The element I2 is composed of two similar octagon discs I8-I8. Two of the surfaces of the discs are adapted to be arranged parallel with the side edges of the stock Ill and two other surfaces at right angles to the first surfaces are disposed at right angles to the side edges of the stock, as will clearly appear in Fig. 2

1' Claim. (0]. 33-7-2121 of the drawing. The diameter'ofthe bore II is equal to the largest diameter of the element I2 so that the corners I2 of the element will fit snugly within the bore I I in position, or mounting the element in the stock. When properly positioned, a suitable cement may be arranged in the bore, as at I9, note Fig. 2, to hold the element in the adjusted position. In assemblage, one of. the rings I 3-I3' may be first placed in position with the markings I5 thereon properly alined with respect to the stock and the element I2 may then be adjusted and secured in position and then the other of said rings I'd-I4 mounted in its recess, the rings I I-I4 being glued or otherwise secured in position.

The element I2 has recesses 20-20 on the inner surfaces of the separate parts thereof which generally conform in contour to the octagon peripheral shape of the parts Ill-I8. However, these octagon surfaces, shown at 2 I 2 I in Fig. 3 of the drawing are convexly curved to a slight extent to facilitate positioning of the spirit bubble I6 centrally of these surfaces in taking a reading. Adjacent surfaces of the parts I8 and I9 beyond the recesses 20-2I abut and are secured together by any suitable adhesive consistent with and suitable for use in conjunction with the material employed in forming the parts I8I8'. Here it is to be understood that these parts may be molded or otherwise formed from glass or transparent plastic materials. In this connection it will also be understood that the rings I 4-H may be composed of wood, metal or plastic material and when plastic material is employed, they may be of an opaque or translucent structure.

With a spirit level of the type and kind under consideration, readings may be taken in any position of the tool for gauging, level or plumb readings, or for gauging miter or forty-five degree readings, thus providing what may be termed a universal spirit level tool. It will be apparent that my improved spirit element may be mounted in stocks of any type or kind, and while in most instances a single spirit element will be sufiicient in each tool, in some instances, it may be desirable to arrange two of the elements in a tool, particularly where the stock is relatively long.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In spirit level devices, a stock, said stock having an aperture of predetermined diameter therein, the stock, at opposed sides of the aperture, having enlarged annular recesses, a spirit element 3 mounted in the aperture of the stock between said recesses, said element comprising two substantially similar discs of octagon form, adjacent surfaces of the discs having recesses bounded by octagon walls, said walls being convexed out- 5 wardly to a slight extent and otherwise substantially paralleling the outer edges of the disc structure, parts of said elements being secured together to form, within the recesses thereof, a

chamberrforfspirit 'fiuifig-includin'ga bubble, bev- 10 elled facing rings mounted in therecesses and overlying outer peripheral portions of the spirit element outwardly of and adjacent the walls or v the chamber therein in retaining said elementin the aperture of the stock, at least two opposed it edges of the element being parallel*toopposededges of said device, side surfacesnf then-stools;

outwardly of said recesses, being bevelled to tagister with the bevelled faces of the rings,--and= said rings having markings registering with each 20 or the convex wallsiofsaidfelement.'

' EDWARD: J. CASPER. 1

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 334,052 Reid et a1 Jan. 12, 1886 559,090 West Apr. 28, 1896 602,874 .Roach Apr. 26, 1898 777,641 a, Knightorr Dec.:'13, 190% 871,684 Foster et a1 Nov. 19, 1907 1,630,174 Elsas May 24, 1927 2,066,789 Masi Jan. 5, 1937 I 2,305,678 Cravaritis Dec. 22, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 87,770 Germany 1896 94,115 Sweden 1938 

